Crewe hot-shot Mark Rivers dented 10-man Forest's play-off ambitions with a lethal finish.

Keeper Ademola Bankole launched a long kick forward and teenage striker Dean Ashton got the better of Christian Edwards before Colin Little released Rivers.

The striker lashed his shot past Dave Beasant in the 76th minute to claim Crewe's fifth successive home win.

Earlier Forest had seen their sixth player of the season dismissed as the game exploded in controversy in the 55th minute.

Tony Vaughan battled past two Crewe defenders inside the box and appeared to kick out in frustration as Bankole raced out of goal to make the block.

The giant Nigerian crashed to the floor clutching his thigh and referee Neil Barry had no hesitation in sending the Forest man off.

Crewe had made a brighter start and were quick on the attack with a neat passing move, but Neil Sorvel blasted the chance over the bar.

Next Rivers got the better of Beasant, but ran out of room to shoot and Ashton hit a tame effort straight at the veteran keeper.

Crewe should have got the break when Rivers tricked his way to the by-line and his inch perfect pull-back found Sorvel with an empty net.

But the midfielder got the ball caught under his foot and Beasant recovered to make an easy save.

Moments later David Johnson raced down the left and whipped a quick ball in, Gary Jones tricked the Crewe defence with a clever dummy and Edwards should have done better from close range, but flashed his shot wide.

Then Johnson tested Crewe keeper Bankole with a crisp volley and Stern John came desperately close to breaking the deadlock towards the end of the first half.

Johnson played an incisive pass into the danger zone and John's powerfully struck shot beat Bankole but cannoned back into play in the 39th minute.

Forest were straight on the attack after the break with Andy Johnson bursting through the middle, but Bankole was in the right place to make the block.

Crewe nearly made the extra man count when Rivers found Ashton inside the box, but the youngster scuffed his shot straight at Beasant.

However, with time running out, Rivers struck to strike another blow to Forest's promotion hopes.

Teams:

Crewe: Bankole, Shaun Smith, Walton, Macauley, Gannon (Street 43), Sorvel, Wright, Lunt, Little, Ashton (Tait 90), Rivers.

Subs Not Used: Ince, Charnock, Foster.

Booked: Ashton.

Goals: Rivers 76.

Nottm Forest: Beasant, Scimeca, Edwards, Vaughan, Benali, Jones (Gray 41), Prutton, Andy Johnson, Bart-Williams, David Johnson, John (Harewood 81).

Subs Not Used: Roche, Hjelde, Freeman.

Sent Off: Vaughan (56).

Att: 7,916

Ref: N Barry (Scunthorpe).